Our very first bottle of ink is still OK. There are two ways to shorten the life of Noodler's: dump salt or really strong acids in the ink (hence the reason why it should not be mixed with metallic salt based inks) OR stick an air hose in it and let bubbles of air filled with microbes, oxygen, and bacteria pour through it for a long time.

The preservatives in Noodler's are designed to fade away/oxidise harmlessly once it is on the page and dry. The return rate due to mold or bacterial attack has declined to the third decimal place and any other company would consider it statistically insignificant: but it is observed closely and we still test for new mold species or molds that have evolved to get past our preservatives. Keep in mind, evolution in microbes and molds can be FAST....just think of how difficult it is to figure out a cure for the aids virus...an even simpler organism? Evolution is so powerful - it even resulted in us!

Another important reason you know preservatives are well handled here: my own bare hands are often multicolored. It was noted that certain overseas ink companies need masks, isolation rooms, and rubber suits..... Who has the safer ink? I don't think their CEO has his hands colored in the ink for many reasons other than elitism. I won't drink it (it is made to taste AWFUL on purpose)...but my hands are always colored with it.

"The pen is mightier than the sword."

The pen could be mightier than the thief and the gun if it is filled with a bulletproof ink too!

It's my belief that all of the exclusive inks Noodlers makes for various stores and such, and inks like the "British" and "Russian" inks only come in 3 ounce bottles. Somebody correct me if I'm mistaken.

I am looking forward to Noodler's first Mexican ink. Hopefully, it will also be available here in the United States, both to citizens and to noncitizens as well.

Our very first bottle of ink is still OK. There are two ways to shorten the life of Noodler's: dump salt or really strong acids in the ink (hence the reason why it should not be mixed with metallic salt based inks)

Has anybody seen a list of "metallic salt based inks?" It would be most useful for us compulsive ink mixers!

If such a list exists, perhaps the moderators could pin the list (or a link to it) for easy reference.

It's my belief that all of the exclusive inks Noodlers makes for various stores and such, and inks like the "British" and "Russian" inks only come in 3 ounce bottles. Somebody correct me if I'm mistaken.

I am looking forward to Noodler's first Mexican ink. Hopefully, it will also be available here in the United States, both to citizens and to noncitizens as well.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...Chili-pepper red . . . .

-Bruce

Mexico - trying to figure out a product mix that would be irresistable....including free pens - something very competitive with such a vast amount of utility it will be a far better deal than any disposables - yet with far better properties than everything that costs more in Mexico's product selection as well, as in India. It is amazing that certain weak, acidic, fade prone inks command exhorbitant prices based upon the fancy bottle and case alone - are they selling ink...or a fancy bottle? Spanish language as well....which is also consuming some time. That has not yet been done, though - but it is a work in progress. We'll see.

As for 4.5 oz bottles in the Russian inks - the first Russian production was actually exclusively in 4.5 oz bottles. UK inks also have been available as 4.5 oz bottles for some time - even some as 1/2 gallon. However, due to shipping costs - few were asked for by retailers. 3 oz outnumbers 4.5 oz in the UK line by a very wide margin....not as much in the Russian. Only inks for India have 4.5 oz bottles outnumbering 3 oz. If the yen behaves, it is likely that every colored/non-black/non-invisible eternal ink by Noodler's sold in a 4.5 oz bottle will soon have a free eyedropper pen tucked in the box. From a frugality standpoint, it is irresistible to me - might kill profit, but the combination has a lot in its favor: how many disposables does one have to buy to equal the ink and word count of just one 4.5 oz bottle and the free pen included with it? If anyone does the math - it is very compelling (assuming similar property inks), usually about $150-$160 in savings. It is my hope that it can attract more roller ball and ball pen users to at least consider joining our hobby.

Blue Ghost, standard Black - those two inks are sold in 4.5 oz dropper bottles but will not have any free eyedroppers included with them. If they did, Noodler's would go bankrupt.

Metallic salt based inks: rule of thumb....when an ink is dehydrated and salt crystals form in abundance about the rim of the bottle and form crystal colonies in the bottle itself - that is almost certainly a metallic salt based ink.

Edited by Eternally Noodling, 29 September 2007 - 20:40.

"The pen is mightier than the sword."

The pen could be mightier than the thief and the gun if it is filled with a bulletproof ink too!